Secure Remote Actuation System Including Network Devices with Internal Memory

ABSTRACT

A secure remote actuation system is described herein. The system may comprise a remote input receptor and a network. The remote input receptor may comprise a user interface for receiving user inputs from a user. The network may comprise a combination of computer systems interconnected by telecommunications equipment or cables allowing information to be exchanged. The network may also comprise a network device for obtaining the user inputs from the remote input receptor. The network device may comprise an internal memory unit. One or more acceptable inputs may be stored on the network. In the present invention, the network device obtains the user inputs from the remote input receptor while the user is using the user interface and then the network compares the user inputs to the acceptable inputs.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/461,166 filed on Aug. 15, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/323,549 filed on Jul. 3, 2014; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/323,618 filed on Jul. 3, 2014; and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/461,128 filed on Aug. 15, 2014; allentitled “Secure Remote Actuation System,” the entirety of eachincorporated by reference herein. This application is also acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/400,313filed Jan. 16, 2016 entitled “An Apparatus for Retrieving Parcels,” theentirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to remote actuation systemscomprising devices capable of performing remote operations. Examples oftypical remote actuation systems include thermostats, which may controlheating and cooling devices from a remote location, and garage dooropeners, which may provide remote access to secured areas. The remoteportions of such devices commonly require a portable power source, suchas a battery or photovoltaic cell. It is also typical of such devices tocomprise communications means, such as a radio frequency transceiver, toreceive and/or relay information.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,331,544 to Kraus et al., which isincorporated herein for all that it discloses, describes a system thatremotely operates a door lock. The door lock may be powered by a batteryand be configured to send and receive radio frequency signals as part ofa mesh network. In such a mesh network, each connected device acts as acommunication node that can send and receive packets of information toany other device in the network. The door lock may further comprise amemory module where individual user codes are stored and a logic moduleto compare user codes to input codes at the door to allow accessdecisions to be made at the door without transmissions.

Such systems typically require continuing communications over a networkthat may cause rapid consumption of power. Thus, various attempts havebeen made to conserve power in 25 such systems. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 4,614,945 to Brunius, et al., which is incorporated herein for allthat it discloses, describes communicating information between aplurality of instrument monitoring units to a remotely located datacollection unit. The monitoring units are radio frequency transpondercircuits that are operatively connected to one or more instruments whoseparameters are being monitored. The transponders continuously monitorone or more parameters of the instrument(s) with which they areassociated. The transponders collect and accumulate parameterinformation and/or data from their associated instruments andcontinually listen for a “wake-up” signal from an interrogatereceiver/data collection unit.

Despite these advances in the art, improved means of conserving power inremote actuation systems is desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A secure remote actuation system may comprise a remote input receptorand a network. The remote input receptor may comprise a user interfacefor receiving user inputs from a user. The network may comprise acombination of computer systems interconnected by telecommunicationsequipment or cables allowing information to be exchanged. The networkmay also comprise a network device for obtaining the user inputs fromthe remote input receptor. One or more acceptable inputs may be storedon the network. In the present invention, the network device obtains theuser inputs from the remote input receptor while the user is using theuser interface and then the network compares the user inputs to theacceptable inputs.

The remote input receptor may also comprise a communication device, suchas a radio frequency transceiver, for sending the user inputs to thenetwork device. The remote input receptor may further comprise aportable power source, such as a battery or solar panel.

The remote input receptor may be capable of executing a low powerfunction after the user inputs are received from the user, wherein poweris cut from unneeded subsystems and reduced in others until reactivated.The remote input receptor may exit the low power function when the userbegins to use the user interface again.

The remote input receptor may additionally comprise a surveillancedevice to detect the user, such as a camera, a microphone, a proximitysensor, or a combination thereof. The remote input receptor may thenexit the low power function when the surveillance device detects theuser.

The user interface may comprise buttons, a visual display, capacitivesensors, a microphone, a vibration recognition module, a proximitysensor, a fingerprint scanner, a retina scanner, a voice recognitionmodule, or a combination thereof as a means for receiving acceptableinputs from a user.

The remote input receptor may comprise data connection ports. Such dataconnection ports may be disposed in an interior of the remote inputreceptor.

The network may comprise a software application allowing for anindividual to control the acceptable inputs. For example, the softwareapplication may allow the individual to edit, add, or delete theacceptable inputs from the network, change parameters, change personalsettings, alter system firmware, and/or conduct diagnoses.

The network device may further comprise an internal memory unit forstoring the acceptable inputs, the user inputs, a history of userinputs, input parameters, and/or access parameters. Additionally, thenetwork may be operably connected to and capable of controlling variousactionable devices, such as a thermostat, a television, an automatedwindow, automated blinds, a ventilation system, a sprinkler system, alighting element, an indoor positioning system, an access controldevice, or a combination thereof. The access control device may be anelectromechanical locking mechanism or a garage door opener that maysecure an enclosed area, room, building, or delivery box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a networkdevice operably 15 connected to a network.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an embodiment of anetwork device forming part of a network, the network device comprisinga plurality of components supported by a printed circuit board disposedtherein.

FIG. 3a is a perspective view of an embodiment of a remote inputreceptor.

FIG. 3b is a partially cutaway perspective view of an interior of theremote input receptor shown in FIG. 3a comprising a plurality ofcomponents supported by a printed circuit board disposed therein.

FIGS. 4a and 4b are perspective views of an embodiment of a portion of auser and a remote input receptor comprising a user interface andoperably connected to a network.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of elements of an embodiment of a secureremote actuation system associated with an enclosed area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a network device 1200 forming a part of anetwork 110. The network 110 may comprise a combination of computersystems interconnected by telecommunications equipment or cablesallowing information to be exchanged. In various embodiments, networkdevices may comprise a desktop or laptop computer, a cell phone, acomputer server, or other devices capable of communicating on such anetwork.

FIG. 2 shows an interior 206 of an embodiment of a network device 2200forming part of a network 210. The network device 2200 may comprise aplurality of components supported by a printed circuit board 209disposed therein. For instance, the embodiment of the network device2200 shown comprises a microcontroller 211 and an internal memory unit212 capable of obtaining and storing one or more user inputs from aremote input receptor (not shown). The network device 2200 may alsocomprise a communication device 213, such as a radio frequencytransceiver, for receiving the one or more user inputs. The radiofrequency transceiver may be a universal device capable of communicatingwith a plurality of other devices by reciprocating various radiofrequency transmissions.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show a perspective view and a partially-cutawayperspective view, respectively, of an embodiment of a remote inputreceptor 300 b comprising an interface 301 a and an interior 306 b witha plurality of components supported by a printed circuit board 309 bdisposed therein.

The printed circuit board 309 b may support at least a microcontroller311 b and a communication device 303 b. After a user supplies one ormore user inputs, the remote input receptor 300 b may transmit the oneor more user inputs to a network (not shown). The network may store andcompare one or more acceptable inputs to the one or more user inputs. Ifthe one or more user inputs correspond with the one or more acceptableinputs, the network may perform an operation.

The communication device 303 b may comprise a radio frequencytransceiver or other known communication apparatus. The communicationdevice 303 b may communicate at a sub-1 GHz frequency. It may beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that communications atsub-1 GHz frequencies may be more capable of propagating throughenvironmental obstacles, such as a plurality of walls in a residentialhome, than communications at frequencies higher than 1 GHz. It maytherefore be desirable for said communication device 303 b to transmitsignals at a sub-I GHz frequency. In some applications, it may bedesirable to communicate at a 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz frequency to achievecompatibility with other devices, such as those that communicate usingZigBee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi.

The remote input receptor 300 b may be powered by a portable powersource 304 b, such as one or more galvanic or voltaic batteries, one ormore solar cells, or other known means of portable power. The remoteinput receptor 300 b may execute a low power function after a user hassubmitted a user input to the user interface 301 a. Such a low powerfunction may be executed for a predetermined amount of time or until auser starts to use the user interface 301 a again. When the low powerfunction is executed, the remote input receptor 300 b may cut power fromunneeded subsystems and reduce power in others until reactivated. Thislow power function, combined with not requiring continuous intermittentcommunication with the network, may enable the portable power source 304b of the remote input receptor 300 b to last significantly longer thanportable power sources of other known remote actuation systems.

The remote input receptor 300 b may further comprise one or moresurveillance devices 305 b, such as a security camera, a microphone, aproximity sensor, or other known surveillance means. For example, asecurity camera may be disposed within the interior 306 b of the remoteinput receptor 300 b, with a lens of the camera extending through anexterior 307 b of the remote input receptor 300 b. The one or moresecurity devices 305 b may continuously gather and transmit informationfrom an environment to a network (as shown in FIG. 1). Additionally, theone or more surveillance devices 305 b may trigger the remote inputreceptor 300 b to exit the low power function when the one or moresurveillance devices 305 b detect a user.

The remote input receptor 300 b may comprise one or more data connectionports 308 b for interacting with firmware of the remote input receptor300 b, such as altering or updating the firmware, running systemdiagnostics, or managing acceptable inputs and/or input parameters. Insome embodiments, such firmware functions may also be performed via anetwork (not shown). The one or more data connection ports 308 b may bedisposed on the interior 306 b of the remote input receptor 300 b to aidin preventing undesired access or accumulation of debris from thesurrounding environment. The one or more data connection ports 308 b maybe able to be accessed by detaching a portion of the exterior 307 b ofthe remote input receptor 300 b.

FIG. 4a shows an embodiment of a remote input receptor 400 a, a network410 a, and a user 420 a. The remote input receptor 400 a may comprise auser interface 401 a for receiving one or more user inputs from the user420 a. The user interface 401 a shown comprises one or more buttons 402a. Such user interfaces may also comprise a visual display, one or morecapacitive sensors, a microphone, a vibration recognition module, aproximity sensor, a fingerprint scanner, a retina scanner, a voicerecognition module, or other known interfacing means.

FIG. 4b shows an embodiment of a user 420 b supplying one or more userinputs into a remote input receptor 400 b by pressing at least onebutton 402 b on a user interface 401 b. The one or more user inputs maycomprise a keystroke, or any other action receivable by a userinterface. As the user 420 b supplies each of the one or more userinputs to the user interface 401 b, the remote input receptor 400 b maysend a signal 430 b representing each of the user inputs to a network410 b. The network 410 b may perform an operation upon receipt of acorrect succession of signals or deny an operation upon receipt of anincorrect succession of signals.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an enclosed area 550 comprising an accessbarrier 560, such as a door, for blocking or allowing access to theenclosed area 550. The access barrier 560 may comprise an actionabledevice 570, such as a garage door motor or a door lock, for permittingor denying access to the enclosed area 550. A network 510 may beoperably connected to the actionable device 570, wherein the network 510is capable of actuating the actionable device 570.

A remote input receptor 500 capable of receiving one or more user inputsmay be disposed in, near, or on an exterior 551 of the enclosed area550. The remote input receptor 500 may be connected to the network 510via a wireless connection 530. As a user begins supplying a user inputto the remote input receptor 500, the network 510 may obtain the userinput from the remote input receptor 500. For example, if a usersupplies one or more user inputs to the remote input receptor 500, theremote input receptor 500 may send the user inputs to the network 510.If the user inputs are found to be acceptable at the network 510, suchas being one of a list of acceptable inputs, the network 510 may performan operation, such as opening or closing the access barrier 560, orengaging or disengaging a door lock.

In various embodiments, an actionable device may comprise an accesscontrol device, such as an electromechanical door lock, a garage doormotor, or another access restricting mechanism. Actuation of the accesscontrol device may comprise an opening of a door or an engagement ordisengagement of a lock. In these embodiments, a user may gain access toa secure area by supplying inputs to a remote input receptor that matchone or more acceptable inputs. In other embodiments, an actionabledevice may comprise a thermostat, a television, an automated window,automated blinds, a ventilation system, a sprinkler system, a lightingelement, an indoor positioning system, or other such devices known inthe art.

The network 510 may comprise one or more electronic devices 5100. In theembodiment shown, the one or more electronic devices 5100 comprises asmartphone. However, other embodiments of an electronic device maycomprise a laptop or desktop computer, a tablet, or other devicescapable of communicating over such a network. The electronic device 5100may comprise a software application for management of the network 510including creating, deleting, or editing one or more acceptable inputs.

Additionally, the software application may be used to create, delete, oredit one or more input parameters. Such input parameters may be used todetermine one or more conditions upon which an actuated system mayoperate. For example, the one or more input parameters may comprise apredetermined user interface interaction sequence, such as a combinationof keystrokes supplied by a user, a combination of user inputs, apredetermined sequence of user inputs, a time window during which thenetwork 510 may receive one or more user inputs, a limitation on whichone or more user inputs may be supplied to gain access to the securearea 550, or a limitation on how many times one or more user inputs maybe received by the network 510.

Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relationto the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other andfurther modifications apart from those shown or suggested herein, may bemade within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

We claim:
 1. A secure remote actuation system, comprising: a remoteinput receptor comprising a user interface for receiving one or moreuser inputs from a user; a cloud-based network storing one or moreacceptable inputs and comprising a network device for obtaining said oneor more user inputs from the remote input receptor; wherein the networkdevice comprises at least one internal memory unit; wherein the networkdevice obtains said one or more user inputs from the remote inputreceptor while the user is using the user interface; and wherein thecloud-based network compares said one or more user inputs to said one ormore acceptable inputs.
 2. The secure remote actuation system of claim1, wherein the network device is operably connected to the cloud-basednetwork.
 3. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein theinternal memory unit comprises a microcontroller.
 4. The secure remoteactuation system of claim 1, wherein the network device comprises one ormore of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a cell phone, or acomputer server.
 5. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1,wherein the network device comprises a plurality of components supportedby a printed circuit board.
 6. The secure remote actuation system ofclaim 5, wherein the internal memory unit is supported by the printedcircuit board.
 7. The secure remote actuation system of claim 5, whereinthe network device comprises a communication device supported by theprinted circuit board.
 8. The secure remote actuation system of claim 7,wherein the communication device comprises a radio frequencytransceiver.
 9. The secure remote actuation system of claim 8, whereinthe radio frequency transceiver communicates at a sub-1 GHz frequency.10. The secure remote actuation system of claim 8, wherein the radiofrequency transceiver communicates at a 2.4 GHz frequency.
 11. Thesecure remote actuation system of claim 8, wherein the radio frequencytransceiver communicates at a 5.8 GHz frequency.
 12. The secure remoteactuation system of claim 8, wherein the radio frequency transceivercommunicates using ZigBee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi.
 13. The secureremote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the remote input receptorcomprises a plurality of components supported by a printed circuit boarddisposed therein.
 14. The secure remote actuation system of claim 13,wherein the remote input receptor comprises a microcontroller supportedby the printed circuit board.
 15. The secure remote actuation system ofclaim 13, wherein the remote input receptor comprises a communicationdevice supported by the printed circuit board.
 16. The secure remoteactuation system of claim 15, wherein the communication device comprisesa radio frequency transceiver.
 17. The secure remote actuation system ofclaim 16 wherein the radio frequency transceiver communicates at a sub-1GHz frequency.
 18. The secure remote actuation system of claim 16,wherein the radio frequency transceiver communicates at a 2.4 GHzfrequency.
 19. The secure remote actuation system of claim 16, whereinthe radio frequency transceiver communicates at a 5.8 GHz frequency. 20.The secure remote actuation system of claim 16, wherein the radiofrequency transceiver communicates using ZigBee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth, orWi-Fi.